The little girl's eyes lit up the moment she received the task. Without the slightest hesitation, she nodded firmly, grabbed the small packet of oil paper, and ran off with light steps.
This decisive and efficient manner is increasingly reminiscent of Zhou Qiqi.
Shen Huaichuan changed out of his military uniform and into a worn-out training uniform. He followed Zhou Qiqi into the kitchen, sat down on a small stool in front of the coal stove, and fanned the fire to make it burn brighter.
The orange-red firelight illuminated his sharply defined profile, softening his usual coldness.
While skillfully stir-frying the green peppers and shredded pork in the pan, Zhou Qiqi recounted the little misunderstanding that had just occurred at the door as an amusing anecdote.
As Shen Huaichuan listened, a slight smile curved his lips, and he said in a low voice, "So that's how it is."
He paused, a hint of barely perceptible pride in his voice:
"This morning, when the newspaper was delivered to the team, many old comrades came to ask me, saying that I, Shen Huaichuan, had struck it lucky, where did I find such a powerful wife?"
Zhou Qiqi's hands didn't stop stirring the food, but her ears perked up, and she couldn't help but glance at him sideways, her tone tinged with curiosity:
"So... what did you say?"
Shen Huaichuan raised his head, a faint, mischievous smile flashing in his eyes, deliberately drawing out his words:
"Well, I mean... my wife thought I was too handsome, so she came to me herself!"
"You bastard, Shen Huaichuan!"
Zhou Qiqi had just finished plating the shredded pork with green peppers onto a plate when her eyebrows shot up in anger. She pretended to be upset, raised the still-oil-splattered spatula, and made as if to hit him.
"How dare you talk about me like that? I'll give you a good beating!"
Shen Huaichuan reacted quickly, laughing as he leaned back to easily dodge the attack. He then stretched out his long arm and precisely wrapped it around Zhou Qiqi's waist. With a slight effort, he spun her around halfway, away from the coal stove, and pulled her tightly into his arms.
Caught off guard, Zhou Qiqi's back bumped into his strong chest. Through the thin shirt, she could feel the heat and strength hidden beneath.
He lowered his head, nuzzling her neck affectionately, his deep voice tinged with laughter, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe:
"I was just kidding, how could I say that?"
Zhou Qiqi actually knew he was joking. This man was known for his cold and serious demeanor in the army, and he would never say such a thing to outsiders.
She deliberately squirmed in his arms and snorted. She wanted to ask him what he had said, but the words caught in her throat as her eyes darted around, and she swallowed them back, choosing not to ask.
Shen Huaichuan held her close, waiting for her to ask curious questions, but the person in his arms remained silent for a long time. He couldn't hold back any longer, so he lowered his head and rubbed his chin against the top of her head, his voice muffled:
"...Why didn't you ask anymore?"
Zhou Qiqi was secretly pleased with herself and decided to keep him hanging on even longer. She deliberately shook her head and pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Her smug look, like a kitten that had successfully stolen some fish, tickled Shen Huaichuan's heart, making him stiff with desire. He felt a mixture of love and hate, utterly helpless.
To make it easier to work, Zhou Qiqi casually tied her long, black hair into a loose bun at the back of her head.
A slender, graceful neck and a pair of small, white earlobes, as if carved from jade, were revealed.
Shen Huaichuan's eyes darkened further. Without saying a word, he leaned in and his warm lips brushed against her sensitive earlobe. Then, he deliberately lowered his voice and gently blew a breath of warm, moist air into her ear canal.
"Um..."
Zhou Qiqi shuddered violently, a strong tingling sensation like an electric current instantly coursing through her body, her calves went weak, and she almost dropped the spatula from her hand and smashed it on the ground.
This man knows exactly how to flirt with her!
"You...you stop messing around!"
She was breathless and frantically tried to break free from his embrace, her cheeks flushed red.
But her dodge just went exactly what Shen Huaichuan wanted.
His arms around her waist were steady and strong. Using the force of her turning around, he nimbly spun her around halfway around in the small space of the kitchen, instantly turning them face to face.
Their bodies pressed even closer, almost completely touching. Zhou Qiqi could even clearly feel the strong heartbeat and burning body temperature coming from his chest.
Shen Huaichuan lowered his head, his high nose almost brushing against hers, their hot breaths mingling, his gaze so deep it could draw you in.
He whispered something in a low, husky voice, barely audible to the two of them:
"I said... our fate is ordained by heaven."
Before he finished speaking, he lowered his head without hesitation and precisely captured her two red lips that were slightly parted in surprise.
The kiss was both irresistibly domineering and filled with the longing that had been building up all day; it was passionate and lingering.
Zhou Qiqi felt as if all the oxygen had been taken away from her, her head was spinning, and her body was as limp as a boiled noodle. She could only rely on his arm around her waist to support her body.
The flames crackled in the stove, the water in the pot simmering with pork ribs was gently boiling and making a soft sizzling sound, and the air was filled with the sounds of food cooking and an incredibly ambiguous and hot atmosphere.
He kissed her until she felt weak all over, almost unable to breathe, and felt that if this continued, something would get out of control.
A sliver of reason allowed her to push against his hard chest with her limp hands, her voice soft and delicate.
"No... Huaichuan... No! Zhouzhou... Zhouzhou will be back soon, there are still vegetables... the vegetables haven't been cooked yet!"
Shen Huaichuan reluctantly stepped back a little, but his forehead was still pressed against hers, his breathing was heavy, and his eyes were frighteningly deep.
He stared at her lips, which were red, moist, and slightly swollen from her kisses. His Adam's apple bobbed violently, but he ultimately restrained his surging desire.
He quickly gave her a light peck on the lips, like a dragonfly skimming the water, yet with endless longing in his eyes.
"I'll settle the score with you tonight."
His voice was terribly hoarse. He released his arm, helped her steady herself, then turned around, took a deep breath, sat back down in front of the coal stove, and added a large piece of new coal.
Zhou Qiqi quickly turned around to wash her hands and hurriedly prepared to stir-fry sweet and sour pork.
Just as the stir-fry was cooked and served, Zhouzhou returned, carrying something in her hand.
Zhou Qiqi was both amused and exasperated after reading it.
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